# Discussion thread for the "Polls only" thread (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 16, 2024, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636 "2024-02-16T02:56:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 298
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5942 "2025-03-06T02:09:05Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > > [@colinfred](#): > > > > I can not pick up an apple if I choose. > > I cannot pick up an apple if I choose. Those two sentences have very different meanings. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5943 "2025-03-06T02:11:14Z")
I will never be able to lift up a car. So, “I cannot”. I can (pick up an apple) if I choose. I can (not pick up an apple) if I choose. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5944 "2025-03-06T03:07:37Z")
I was paid to mow the lawn. And i got an allowance. I think i forgot about the lawn when i filled out the poll. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5945 "2025-03-06T03:19:30Z")
I am a scion of generations of Talmudic scholars and reasonably sharp businesspeople. By the time I was old enough to get an allowance (separate from gift money) I was old enough to argue for a written list of responsibilities and chores I was expected to do and the weekly renumeration thereof. Renegotiated annually, and posted in written form on the side of the fridge no less. I was never able to successfully negotiate for a penalty clause for late payment though I certainly tried! 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5946 "2025-03-06T05:38:29Z")
IMO, the first sentence is ambiguous without any other hints. If you said that out loud, you would need to do something to better indicate what you meant, and that should carry over to the written form: "I _can_ not pick up the apple. It’s a little like the Buffalo sentence. Technically correct, but the recipient would have to parse out what is really being said. A few pixels of white space doesn’t really provide that help ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5947 "2025-03-06T06:21:49Z")
I received a base allowance to which additional payment was added if I did additional chores. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5948 "2025-03-06T13:17:41Z")
I said yes to the umbrella in the drink, but - Me: “Doctor, Doctor, every time I drink something with an umbrella in it, I get a pain in my eye!” Doctor: … ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5949 "2025-03-06T13:23:29Z")
I agree with you that the space should make a difference. I grew up my whole life reading “cannot” as the only expression of inability. It wasn’t till I got on the internet that I started seeing people put a space in the middle, and I never liked how that looks. I think that should be reserved for the ability to refrain from doing something. Two very different meanings, so it’s better not to confuse them. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5950 "2025-03-06T13:26:18Z")
That article says “cannot” is preferred for inability, and that “can not” with the space has to be used when the “not” belongs to another phrase. That is _quite_ a difference. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5951 "2025-03-06T13:43:42Z")
Why is “willnot” not a word? mmm ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5952 "2025-03-06T15:52:34Z")
I have no idea whether I’ve ever drunk something with an umbrella in it. I don’t remember everything I’ve ever drunk in my life. I’m reasonably certain I’ve never deliberately ordered something _because_ it had an umbrella in it. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5953 "2025-03-06T17:05:28Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Why is “willnot” not a word? > > mmm Because English was assembled over the course of a thousand years by a people whose main source of clean drinking water was beer. ---
**Author:** ![Jegpeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jegpeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jegpeg)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2025, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5954 "2025-03-07T01:54:36Z")
I must complain about the cumulative survey. While I stress the the second syllable the second letter is “u” not “a” hence my pronouciation is Cue MULE a tive ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2025, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5955 "2025-03-07T19:16:34Z")
Omni-post for the recent and varied pronunciation polls: I answered some various other / complain options. Because I’m not _consistent_ in my pronunciation, I’ve used most if not all of the various accents or variant pronunciations. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2025, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5956 "2025-03-07T19:58:16Z")
The Welsh placename, for practical purposes, can be pronounced “Llanfairpwllgwyngyll” (same number of syllables as “Philadelphia”) or “Llanfair pi eg,” and everyone will know what you mean. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2025, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5957 "2025-03-07T20:03:48Z")
“Aunt” is one of those words that gets a different pronunciation depending on context: My sister is my sons’ aunt (with a diphthong - sounds similar to font). My sons address her as Aunt Sarah (with a short a - sounds like ant). ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2025, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5958 "2025-03-07T20:09:38Z")
For 34 years in Texas, plus maybe 5 or 6 years in New England, it was ‘ant’. Since then, hearing the other version, plus some occasional gentle mockery, have made me an ‘ont’ believer. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2025, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5959 "2025-03-07T20:13:40Z")
There are army aunts, harvester aunts, carpenter aunts, and even leaf-cutting aunts in the world… ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2025, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5960 "2025-03-07T20:14:55Z")
I hear this in Hugh Lauries’ Bertie Wooster voise. This could almost be a Woodhouse quote. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2025, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5961 "2025-03-07T20:34:53Z")
“applicable” doesn’t need to have any emphasized syllables IMHO. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=297) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=299)